SAN YSIDRO PORT TEST A SUCCESS

Trial of new lanes results in much shorter wait times; questions remain on staffing

On average, Customs and Border Protection officers process nearly 33,000 northbound vehicles at San Ysidro each day. Port staffing has been a longstanding issue, said Rudy Camacho, a former director of field operations in San Diego for the agency who now runs a consulting firm.

Last weekend’s test shows that “when and if sufficient and appropriate staffing is provided, CBP can do the work of successfully processing legitimate traffic and trade,” he said.

There is no guarantee of sufficient federal funding to hire enough customs officers for the crossing’s expanded capacity. Customs and Border Protection officials do not discuss staffing issues, saying they are “law enforcement sensitive.”

On Thursday, the agency did not disclose how much more money would be needed for optimal staffing. Starting pay for a customs officer ranges from $31,315 to $38,790 annually, while an experienced officer working in the front-line inspection booths can earn up to $78,355 annually, according to the agency.

The Smart Border Coalition, a binational group that lobbies for more-efficient border crossings, said it costs $180,000 to pay the annual salary and benefits of a border-crossing officer. There are currently 300 new officers in the academy pipeline, said James Clark, the coalition’s director.

“Staffing is always going to be a real concern for CBP, and particularly in these very difficult budget years,” the agency’s Maston said. “I will tell you that the Port of San Ysidro is one of the top priorities for CBP in terms of getting additional staff, not only to staff the additional inspection booths that are coming with the new port, but also a much larger secondary inspection facility.”

Launched in February 2011, the reconstruction of the San Ysidro crossing is intended to remedy congestion that has become especially severe with stepped-up inspections following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The overhaul, scheduled in three phases, includes adding lanes, booths and high-tech inspection equipment.